Artificial Intelligence creates new challenges for parents in protecting children against fakes and digital risks

The author argues that the city council could alleviate concerns by demonstrating the possibility of building affordable housing in good neighborhoods without turning those areas into slums. The author believes that residents in both relatively affluent suburbs of Cape Town and residents of the townships in Cape Flats would desire improved living conditions, reduced inequality, and an end to past disagreements.

Despite this general agreement, the author questions why progress in changing the situation has been minimal over the last three decades, and what is preventing Cape Town from overcoming the post-apartheid threshold. Among numerous reasons, including political traditions and party ideologies, three key points are highlighted.

Firstly, the binary choice between the ANC and DA negatively affected democracy, as instead of promoting common goals, it only reinforced existing demographic divisions. Secondly, the city government sought to position itself as anti-transformational to distance itself from its political rival (which is now a partner in the GNU), although this was not always their true objective. Thirdly, excessively high, unaffordable, and rapidly rising property prices are mistakenly viewed by the city government as a sign of success rather than an obstacle to social justice requiring careful management.

Property prices are a central issue. The DA insists that the higher cost of property in the city is due to its governance and attractiveness to tourists. However, the author refutes this, pointing out that the value of Cape Town's real estate and the flow of tourists are linked to the mountains, the sea, Cape Point, wine regions, restaurants, sunny weather, and beaches. The DA also fears the impact of building social and affordable housing in well-located areas on property values, which the author considers a dangerous argument because it excludes integration.

The author notes that the city has failed to demonstrate a commitment to affordable housing in the city center and surrounding areas, having built none there. Thus, the city remains deeply unequal, and its current state, established since the 1960s, is perceived as normal. The author emphasizes that the system that forcibly relocated hundreds of thousands of people into similarly colored communities with poor development and resources was not normal, but a key element of a crime against humanity, as defined by the United Nations.

The author believes that no one desires this forced segregation and inequality, regardless of where they live. He rejects the idea of gathering poor people behind walls, as happens with those living in shacks near N2, and believes that inaction regarding inequality is unsustainable. Creating a socially sustainable city will benefit all residents, regardless of their place of residence.

Fixing problems in Bonteheuwel does not mean betraying Bantry Bay; it ensures a long-term future for both areas. Addressing issues in individual communities is correcting a part of ourselves and investing in the city's future. Conversely, inaction is like risking a long journey with a leak. The author gives the example that improving Bonteheuwel will not lower prices in Bantry Bay, just as maximizing the construction of affordable housing on the Table Mountain site in Sea Point will not lower prices on the Atlantic coast.

Furthermore, beyond promoting justice, this will serve as a guarantee for a future that will likely be less tolerant of inequality than it seems today. Finally, the author touches upon the issue of 'redistributive' justice. The GOOD party joined the South African Property Owners Association to challenge the legality of a supposed form of redistribution in Cape Town—rates based on property value. From their perspective, it was unfair to target people with higher rates simply because the value of their property grew significantly faster than their ability to pay.

However, this does not mean that redistribution is unnecessary. There are much better ways to ask those who can afford more to do so. Possible measures include introducing additional taxes on owners of ultra-expensive properties and real estate speculators (owners of more than one property). It is necessary to change the mindset from an acceptable norm to an unacceptable anomaly.

A couple from Richwood, Olivia Vigilatis and Veronica Bezuidenhout, has started helping needy residents of Cape Town by preparing and distributing budget meals.

Recently, this couple gained attention online when they distributed inexpensive meals from the Shoprite store to homeless people and job seekers on the streets. Olivia shared that her main job is in graphic design, but she has always had a passion for cooking.

With her wife's support, she prepares hearty lunches for children's homes, homeless shelters, and job seekers. Vigilatis explained that her love for cooking grew during the Covid pandemic when they began helping people in their community and witnessed the difficult situation.

"My wife and I started cooking food, and sometimes we would attract people to help us, and then distribute these meals among people waiting for work so they could feed their families," she shared. "I want to support people who are trying to provide for themselves."

Although the couple conducts most of their charitable activities in Richwood, Botassig, and Tableview, they also support children's homes, SASSA pensioners, and nursing homes.

"We try to provide meals at least once a month and whenever we can. We don't post everything on social media, but sometimes I can go live on TikTok so people can see what we are doing," added Vigilatis. "We do everything out of our own pockets, but we have received some donations, which is great because then we can give more."

The couple recently went viral online after purchasing 50 meals for an amount equivalent to 310 Rand at the Shoprite store. Vigilatis emphasized that the most important thing for her is the ability to give someone food, knowing that they will not go hungry until the end of the day. She noted that many people go to sleep hoping for a meal, and if she and Veronica can be that small change in someone's life, she will certainly do it, as people are very grateful and respectful.